Peach tree named ‘CRISPONDA’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of yellow peach tree denominated ‘CRISPONDA’ has fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet orange yellow flesh, with a pink red pigmentation near the pistil cavity, and an attractive luminous skin with a high percentage of purple red blush on skin surface. This variety is suited for low chill areas.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘CRISPONDA’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2014/3169 filed on Nov. 27, 2014 (Nov. 27, 2014) which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of yellowpeach tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been given the varietydenomination ‘CRISPONDA’. This new tree produces fruits with a longshelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completionand after harvesting, very good eating quality, clingstone orange yellowflesh fruits for fresh market in July in the Pyrénées-Orientelesdepartment, France. Contrast is made to ‘CRISPRIM’ yellow peach tree(non patented), for reliable description. ‘CRISPONDA’ is a promisingcandidate for commercial success in that it has very attractive fruitswith very long shelf life without alteration both before and afterharvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘CRISPONDA’ yellow peach tree originated from a cultivated area ofthe south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it wastested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on theMediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry.The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hoursof sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but itsintensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/orquality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations areirregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount ofrainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found inSpring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitationsoccasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘CRISPONDA’ variety resulted from a pollinated cross between the‘NECTABELLE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,140) yellow nectarine tree, whichwas used as the seed parent, and the unselected cultivar “ASF I0104”(non patented) yellow peach tree which was used as the pollen parent.

The ‘CRISPONDA’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated bygrafting on a “INRA® GF677” rootstock trees. It has been determined tohave unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy forcommercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of thestandard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar.Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and allcharacteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plantwas reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, LaPrade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. Moreparticularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘CRISPONDA’ yellow peach tree blooms duringFebruary or early in March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientalesdepartment, France. More particularly, it blooms between February 2^(nd)and March 6^(th), before ‘CRISPRIM’ yellow peach variety (non patented).The blooming period is considered very early to early. However, it wasobserved that its early date of blooming seems to be highly dependant onclimatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘CRISPONDA’ ripens generally during June,approximately four days after the first fruit of ‘CRISPRIM’ yellow peachvariety (non patented). More particularly, it usually ripens betweenJune 9^(th) and July 1^(st). However, it was observed that its earlydate of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph showing a branch of a tree of the newvariety in orchard, bearing fruits.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph that shows a different close views oftypical fruits of the new variety ‘CRISPONDA’ at ripening time.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which shows leaves of the new variety andfour typical specimens of the fruit, one having been cut in half withthe pit being left into one of the halves for depicting fruit flesh andpit of the new variety.

FIG. 4. is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at differentdevelopment stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and thereproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘CRISPONDA’ is high, due tofruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are medium vigorous and large stature half-standing in asemi-flared to semi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration offlowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. Thetime of beginning of flowering is considered very early to early;flowering begins during February, generally early in February. The typeof flower is non showy with small petal size. Petals are dark pink. Leafglands are present and reniform. The fruit flesh is yellow to orangegenerally with a pink red pigmentation near the pistil cavity. The fruitskin is very thick, with a luminous purple red blush on a red orangebackground. The stone is clingstone and his size is considered large.Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level ofsugars.

Compared to ‘CRISPRIM’ (non patented) yellow peach tree, ‘CRISPONDA’variety blooms earlier. The blooming period of ‘CRISPONDA’ variety isconsidered very early to early whereas the ‘CRISPRIM’ variety shows amedium blooming period. However, the first fruit ‘CRISPONDA’ ripensapproximately 4 days after the fruits of ‘CRISPRIM’ variety. Moreover,‘CRISPONDA’ fruits are very round to slightly flattened whereas the‘CRISPRIM’ variety produces fruits that are round-shaped. The flavour of‘CRISPONDA’ fruit flesh is more aromatic than the fruit flesh of‘CRISPRIM’.

Compared to its female parent ‘NECTABELLE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,140),which is a yellow nectarine tree, the new variety ‘CRISPONDA’ is ayellow peach tree. The two varieties are also different regarding theirperiod of ripeness. Indeed, the fruits of the new variety ‘CRISPONDA’ripen between 1 week and 10 days later than the fruits of ‘NECTABELLE’.Both varieties have a campanulate-type of flowers (non-showy type). Thebloom quantity produced by ‘NECTABELLE’ variety, i.e. 35 to 40 flowersper meter, is more important than the bloom quantity produced by the newvariety ‘CRISPONDA’, typically between 25 and 30 flowers per meter. Thesize of the fruits of the new variety ‘CRISPONDA’ is consideredhomogenous A-2A and bigger than the size of the fruits of ‘NECTABELLE’,which are homogenous A in size.

The male parent “ASF I0104” (non patented) of the new variety is ayellow peach tree for which no fruit has been observed nor othercharacteristics.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of yellow peach tree, the following was observed ontrees in their fourth growing season (third year of production) fortrees, fruits, leaves and stones and in their third growing season(second year of production) for flowers, under the ecological conditionsprevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne,Pyrénées-Orienteles departement, France. All observations have been doneon rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were “INRA® GF677” trees. Allmajor color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. ColourChart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society ofGreat Britain.

TREE

-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered large. The tree size the first year            was approximately 250 cm. The tree was pruned during each            following dormant season to a height of approximately            250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 60 to            80 cm. The tree size from the second year (second and next            years) reached a final height of 310 to 330 cm including            current season shoots length. The tree size is consistently            reduces to 250 cm the next years.-   Spread: Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The whole    orchard was oriented to a central leader organization, with tree    lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same    tree line. As a result, tree spread was about 100 cm and the orchard    contained 2500 trees by hectare.-   Vigor: Considered strong. Probably useful to reduce the supply in    nitrogen nutriments in order to avoid an excessive vegetation.-   Productivity: Very Productive and regular, every year. Fruit set is    spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired    market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with the    prevailing climatic conditions and cultural practices employed    during the bloom period, and is therefore not distinctive of the    present variety.-   Bearer: Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered    homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1 year. A    reduced thinning is performed, regarding the ability of the new    variety to produce homogenous fruits having an interesting potential    in terms of size.-   Form: The ‘CRISPONDA’ variety has naturally a semi-flared to    semi-upright shape.-   Density: Considered dense.-   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The    variety appears to be hardy under the central Pyrénées-Orientales    departement typical climatic conditions. Experimentations in the    same orchard in Elne, Pyrénées-Orienteles department, with winter    chilling requirement below 7.2° C. comprised between 350 hours and    1200 hours depending on the specificities of the year, namely, 1076    hours in 2012-2013, 767 hours in 2013-2014, 552 hours in 2014-2015    and 721 hours in 2015-2016, showed a good behaviour of the tree in    all cases. No damages were caused by ascertained temperatures as low    as −12 degrees Celsius in winter. The tree was also very resistant    to frosty springtime weather.

TRUNK

-   Diameter: Approximately 4.9 to 6.4 centimeters in diameter when    measured at a distance of approximately 30 centimeters above the    soil level.-   Bark texture: Considered slightly rough, with lenticels.-   Lenticels: Numerous lenticels are present. The number of lenticels    reaches 3 or 4 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size from    approximately 3.0 millimeters to 6.0 millimeters in width, and    approximately 1.5 millimeters in height.-   Lenticel color: The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey color    (RHS Grey 201 D), whereas the inside is considered brown (RHS Greyed    Orange 165 B).-   Bark coloration: The bark has a silver-grey color (RHS Grey 201 C)    slightly darker than the outside of lenticels color.

BRANCHES

-   Size: Mature branches and current season shoots are considered    medium to large for the variety.-   Diameter: Average as compared to other peach varieties. The current    season shoots have a diameter from 6.0 to 8.0 millimeters, and    mature branches have a diameter from 11.0 to 13.0 millimeters.-   Surface texture: Average, wood which is several years old has no    furrowed appearance.-   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable, but the    crotch angles are generally between 45 degrees and 50 degrees from    the horizontal axis. This particular characteristic is not    considered distinctive of the variety, however.-   Current season shoots:-   Internode length: Generally between 25.0 and 32.0 millimeters.-   Color of mature branches: Medium brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A).-   Current seasons shoots:    -   -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered a pale            yellow-green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A to RHS Yellow Green            145 B) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper            part is darker and colored in brown-purple to red purple            (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A to RHS Greyed Purple 187 B).-   Spur:    -   -   Spur length.—Approximately 2.0 millimeters.        -   Vegetative bud size.—Length between 19.0 and 21.0            millimeters and width between 9.0 and 11.0 millimeters.        -   Vegetative bud shape of apex.—Rounded.        -   Position of vegetative bud in relation to one year old            shoot.—Slightly held out.

LEAVES

-   Size: Considered medium for the species. The ratio leaf length/leaf    width is 3.85.-   Leaf length: Approximately 156.0 to 181.0 millimeters with leaf    petiole. The medium length is 169.2 millimeters.-   Leaf width: Approximately 37.0 to 51.0 millimeters. The medium width    is 44.0 millimeters.-   Leaf base shape: Concave.-   Leaf form: Lanceolate.-   Leaf tip form: Short, pointed and acuminate.    -   -   Leaf blade incision of margin.—Crenate.-   Leaf color:    -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Green (RHS Green 137 A).        -   Lower surface.—A lighter green (RHS Yellow Green 146 A to            RHS Yellow Green 146 B) than the upper leaf surface color.-   Leaf texture: Smooth and glabrous.-   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined.-   Mid-vein:    -   -   Color.—Light green, almost yellow (RHS Yellow Green 145 D).            The color may evolve with maturity.-   Leaf margins: Slightly undulating.-   Form: Considered slightly dentate.-   Uniformity: Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In this last    case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or two smaller    leaves (at least 50% smaller).-   Leaf petioles:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium.        -   Length.—About 12.0 to about 14.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—About 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters.-   Petioles color:    -   -   Upper petiole surface.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A            to RHS Yellow Green 144 B).        -   Lower surface.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).-   Leaf glands:    -   -   Position of leaf glands (nectaries) on leaf.—Predominantly            on the upper part of the petiole.        -   Size.—Considered medium. Their length is about 2.0            millimeters and their width is about 1.0 millimeter.        -   Number.—Generally 2 or 3 glands per leaf.        -   Type.—Reniform.        -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a            light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 B). On older leaves, leaf            glands color turns to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to            RHS Grey Brown 199 B).        -   Margins.—Smooth and regular.-   Leaf stipules:    -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in            the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is            possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a            normal-size leaf and smaller ones.

FLOWERS

-   Flower buds:    -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral            buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is            evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just            before blooming, floral buds are approximately between 7.0            and 9.0 millimeters wide and approximately 14.0 to 17.0            millimeters long.        -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development (stage A), the            bottom of the flowers buds, formed by the sepals, is of            purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to RHS Greyed            Purple 183 B to RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Greyed Purple            187 B and RHS Grey Brown Group 199A at the base). The            corolla, formed by the petals, is generally of dark pink            color (RHS Red Purple 73 B to RHS Red Purple 73 C). Petals            color shows an evolution until the end of flowering.-   Hardiness: The buds are considered hardy under typical central    Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions. No winter    injury was noted during the last several years of evaluation in the    central Pyrénées-Orientales departement, with winter temperatures as    low as −10 degrees Celsius in January. The current variety has not    been intentionally subjected to drought or heat stress, but the    variety showed a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up    to 42 degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and 30    degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.-   Date of bloom: The blooming time generally begins during February    and especially at the beginning of the month. However, the first    bloom was observed on Feb. 28, 2012.-   Blooming time: Considered very early to early-season in relative    comparison to other commercial peach cultivars grown in the    Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full bloom is    observed at the middle of the blooming period. The date of bloom    varies slightly with climatic conditions and cultural practices.    Thus the first full bloom was observed on February 28^(th) until    Mar. 5, 2012, then from February 7^(th) until Feb. 20, 2013, then    from February 9^(th) until Feb. 19, 2014 and then from February    24^(th) until Mar. 6, 2015.-   Duration of bloom: Approximately 6 to 14 days. This characteristic    varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.-   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a non-showy type    flower (campanulate type).-   Flower size: Considered small. Flower diameter at full bloom is    approximately 15.0 to 18.0 millimeters.-   Bloom quantity: Considered medium, approximately between 25 and 30    flowers per meter, with a good distribution and a high rate of fruit    set.-   Flower bud frequency: Generally 2 flower buds appear per node,    occasionally 1.-   Petal size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered small.-   Length: Generally between 10.0 and 11.0 millimeters.-   Width: Generally between 8.0 and 9.0 millimeters.-   Petal form: Round-shaped.-   Petal count: Generally 5.-   Petal texture: Smooth, soft and glabrous.-   Petal color: Both surfaces of the petal are colored with a dark pink    color (RHS Red Purple 73 B to RHS Red Purple 73 C).    -   -   Flower arrangement of petals.—Overlapping.-   Fragrance: Sweet.-   Petal claw:    -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a triangular form,            narrower at the base.        -   Length.—Approximately 2.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 1.0 millimeter at the base.        -   Color.—RHS red Purple 63 A-   Petal margins: Generally considered slightly undulating.-   Petal apex:    -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally round and            curved-shaped.-   Flower pedicel:    -   -   Length.—Considered medium and having an average length of            approximately 2.0 to 3.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 1.5 millimeters.        -   Color.—Green (RHS Yellow Green N 144 A to RHS Yellow Green N            144 B).-   Calyx:    -   -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is open,            the inner surface of the calyx is matt and considered            golden-orange (RHS Greyed Red 178 C to RHS Greyed Red 178            B). The outer surface of the calyx is considered of            purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to RHS Greyed            Purple 183 B to RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Greyed Purple            187 B and RHS Yellow Green 144 A to RHS Yellow Green 144 B            at the base).

Sepals:

-   -   -   Number.—Generally five sepals.        -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine            pubescent texture.        -   Size.—Average.        -   Length.—Approximately 5.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 4.5 millimeters.        -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, the outer surface of the            sepals is considered of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed            Purple 183 A to RHS Greyed Purple 183 B to RHS Greyed Purple            183 C or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B and RHS Yellow Green 144 A            to RHS Yellow Green 144 B at the base). The inner surface of            the sepals is matt and considered golden-orange (RHS Greyed            Red 178 C to RHS Greyed Red 178 B).

-   Average number of stamens per flower: Approximately 36 to 44 stamens    per flower.

-   Anthers:    -   -   Anther position relative to petals.—Shorter or equal.        -   Generally.—Medium in length.        -   Color.—Orange yellow color (RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to RHS            Yellow Orange B) or red to red orange color (RHS Red Group            N34 A or RHS Greyed Red Group 178 A). The color may evolve            with maturity to turn in a red orange color.

-   Pollen production: Pollen is abundant, and has an orange yellow    color (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to RHS Yellow Orange    17 C) which may evolve with maturity. The present variety is    considered auto-fertile (self-pollinating).

-   Filaments:    -   -   Size.—Medium length, between 8.0 and 12.0 millimeters in            length. Filaments length is generally equal or higher to the            pistil's length.

-   Color: Considered white (RHS White N 155 D) or light pink    (approximately RHS Red Purple 62 C to RHS Red Purple D). The color    becomes darker during the blooming.

-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—Usually 1.        -   Generally.—Average in size.        -   Length.—Approximately 14.0 to 16.0 millimeters including the            ovary. Generally equal to stamen length, if not slightly            smaller.        -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (RHS Yellow Green Group            151 D) at the beginning of flowering, it becomes lighter and            lighter (RHS Yellow Green 150 D) during the blooming and            sometimes very slightly pinky (RHS Red Group 36D) at the end            of the blooming.        -   Surface texture.—Glabrous.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Very firm in ripe conditions (shipping    ripe).-   Date of first picking: Jun. 26, 2012.-   Date of last picking: The date of harvest varies slightly with the    prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘CRISPONDA’ variety has an early    date of picking, and a grouped maturity. The maturity is grouped    within 6 to 11 days and the harvest is generally performed in two    runs. Last known picking times carry on from June 26^(th) to Jul. 1,    2012, then from June 20^(th) until Jun. 30, 2013 then from June    9^(th) until Jun. 17, 2014 and then from June 20^(th) until Jun. 27,    2015.-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Homogeneous in size, mainly A-2A.-   Average cheek diameter: Approximately 63.0 to 70.0 millimeters.-   Average axial diameter: Approximately 58.0 to 63.0 millimeters.-   Typical weight: Generally about 135.0 to 175.0 grams. This    characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing cultural    practices, and therefore is not particularly distinctive of the    variety.-   Fruit form:    -   -   Generally.—Round to slightly flattened. The fruit is            generally uniform in symmetry, viewed from the suture's            plane.-   Fruit suture: Wide-mouthed and slightly marked, extending from the    base to the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along    the suture line. Not pointed.-   Suture:    -   -   Color.—The suture has generally a similar color to the whole            fruit color, a luminous purple red (RHS Greyed Purple 187            A).        -   Depth of fruit suture.—The suture is not or slightly marked.-   Ventral surface:    -   -   Form.—Smooth.-   Apex: Non-prominent, generally slightly depressed.-   Base: Semi-flared, shallow.-   Stem cavity: Average depth of the stem cavity is about 12.0 to 16.0    millimeters. Average width is about 22.0 to 28.0 millimeters.-   Fruit skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Considered very thick and strong, and the            adherence of skin to flesh is strong to medium, depending on            the fruit maturity.        -   Texture.—Glabrous, with a short pubescence.        -   Lenticels.—Absent.        -   Taste.—Aromatic, with a high level of sugars but semi-sweet            due to acidity level between 6 and 9 meq/100 mL, which shows            practically no variation after picking.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.-   Color:    -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is a luminous and homogenous            purple red (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A). The red blush covers            75% to 80% of the fruit skin surface on an orange red            background (RHS Orange Red N34 A). The percentage of the            blush on the fruit skin surface can vary, and is generally            dependant upon the prevailing conditions under which the            fruit was grown.        -   Ground color.—The ground color covers approximately 20 to            25% of the fruit skin surface, and is considered orange red            (RHS Orange Red N 34 A).-   Fruit stem: Medium in length, approximately 8.0 to 10.0 millimeters.-   Diameter: Approximately 4.0 millimeters.-   Color: Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a long            shelf life.        -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, juicy at harvest maturity            stage, with crunchy texture when biting, but the flesh            disintegrates quickly in the mouth.        -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.        -   Aroma.—Pronounced.        -   Eating quality.—Considered very good and aromatic.        -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet and very aromatic. The Brix is            generally superior to 10 and acidity comprised between 6 and            9 meq/100 ml.        -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.        -   Brix.—Generally 10.0 to 14.0 degrees. This characteristic            varies slightly with the number of fruit per tree;            prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic            conditions.        -   Flesh color.—Orange yellow flesh (RHS Yellow Orange 14 B to            RHS Yellow Orange 14 C) usually with a pink red pigmentation            near the pistil cavity.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone, more or less adherent depending on the fruit    maturity.-   Size: Considered small for the variety. The stone size varies    significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and    prevailing growing conditions.-   Length: Approximately 25.0 to 27.0 millimeters.-   Width: Approximately 22.0 to 24.0 millimeters.-   Diameter: Approximately 18.0 to 20.0 millimeters.-   Form: Elliptic to round.-   Base: Straight.-   Apex:    -   -   Shape.—The stone apex is short, pointed.-   Stone cavity: Considered small in size, with an ovate-form and    dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.-   Stone surface:    -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its            entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.            The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent            generally and present basally.        -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by            more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more            prominent at the apical tip.-   Ventral edge:    -   -   Width.—Considered small to medium, and having a dimension of            approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture.-   Dorsal edge:    -   -   Shape.—Grooved.-   Stone color: The color of the dry stone is generally considered    light orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 A to RHS Greyed Orange 164    B).-   Tendency to split: Splitting is very low or absent, depending on    climatic conditions between blooming period and stone hardening.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium to small.        -   Length.—Approximately 13.0 to 14.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 9.0 to 11.0 millimeters.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 4.0 to 6.0millimeters.        -   Form.—Considered oblate and elliptic to round.        -   Pellicle.—The pellicle of the kernel has a short pubescence.        -   Color.—The kernel skin is a orange-brown (RHS Greyed Orange            N167 B). The almond, which is the seed of the kernel, is            white (RHS White 155 D) and has a bitter tasting. The kernel            and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit maturity.-   Use: The subject variety ‘CRISPONDA’ is considered to be a peach    tree of the early season of maturity, suited for low chill areas and    which produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively colored    with a very luminous purple red. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and    are excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when at    full maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative qualities. Due to    their flesh quality, firmness and density, they can also be    commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or fruit in    bags for example). And they are also useful for both local and very    long distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation and a long    shelf life both on the tree after growth completion and after    harvesting without alteration. After growth completion, fruits are    preserved more than one week. After harvest, fruits are well    preserved more than 4 weeks at 2.0 degree Celsius.-   Shipping quality: Considered very good. The fruit of the new yellow    peach variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin damage    after being subjected to normal harvesting and packing procedures.    Its resistance to handling during harvest and packing and its long    shelf life without alteration after harvest easily permit 3 to 4    weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.-   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities    were noted. The present variety is not very sensitive to powdery    mildew, or conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and    strong skin.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should beunderstood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristicsincident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pestcontrol and horticultural management are to be expected.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of yellow peach tree asillustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eatingquality and very long shelf life without alteration before and afterharvesting, with a semi-sweet orange yellow flesh, with a pink redpigmentation near the pistil cavity, and an attractive luminous skinwith a high percentage of purple red blush on skin surface. This varietyis suited for low chill areas.